Shoulder-cushion.



J. W. QUIRK. SHOULDER CUSHION. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 9, 1912.

Patented Mar. 4, 1913.

' avweutoz:

' g Mikey JAMES W. QUIRK, OF CLAR-EMQNT, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

SHOULDER-CUSHION.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 4, 1913.

Application filed August 9, 1912. Serial No. 714,292.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES W. Quinn, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at Claremont, in the county of Sullivan and State of New Hampshire, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shoulder-Cushions, of which the following is .a. specification.

This invention relates to shoulder cushion supports for straps, or the like, and though susceptible of a variety of uses, is more particularly designed for the use of the mail carrier, newsboy, and others who are compelled to carry a bag or other re ceptacle suspended by a strap from the shoulder.

It has before been suggested in the art to provide a pad adapted to fit over the shoulder and from which was suspended a supporting strap or the like, but prior constructions with which "I am familiar, have proven impracticable to a large extent for various reasons, among which may be noted that it was necessary to employ various attaching hooks, buckles or the like to secure the strap to the pad and thereby prevent slipping, and it was also customary to employ various securing means between the pada-nd the garment of the user, all of which Was objectionable because of inury to the clothes, and because of the expense incident to the manufacture of the articles which prevented universal adoption by the post-oflice authorities and others in demand of articles of the character in question.

Among the primary objects of the present invention may be noted the reduction in cost of the construction, the doing away with, various securing devices, and the employment of improved means for retaining the strap in place relative to the pad and for maintaining the pad in proper position on the shoulder.

i More particularly the invention embraces a cushion preferably of an integral construction and coinprising an elongated strip of yieldable material, having a strap receiving slot extending longitudinally through the body of the strip, .and friction as well as suction retainingparts to engage the coat or garment at the shoulder of-the user.

Other improvements ,and novel details in the construction and arrangement of parts will be clear from the description to follow, which, for a clear understanding of.

the invention should be considered in connection with the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and wherein is disclosed, forthe purpose of illustration, a convenient embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a top'plan view of the cushion; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section; Fig. 3 is an end View, and Fig. 4 is a transverse section substantially on the line 44 of Figs. 1 and 2. a

With more particular reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to correspondingparts throughout the several views 1 is a body part .of'thecushion, the said body part preferably being made up of rubber or other similar yieldable mate'- rial. The body part 1 is elongated and relatively fiat in shape and has projecting inwardly from its inner surface or that surface adapted to engage-the garment of the user at the shoulder thereof, a longitudinally extending bead or rib' 2, one adjacent each edge of the body portion. Arranged at suitable intervals in the inner surface of the body portion are one 0r more out out parts or recesses, there preferably being three in number, one elongated one 3 arranged intermediate the ends of the strip and extending longitudinally thereof, and two round ones 4. one adjacent each end of the strip. ,These recesses form in effect suction cups, and frictional engaging parts to prevent relative movement or slipping of the pad with regard to the shoulder. Extending longitudinally through the body portion'l is a slotted way 5, said slot extending from end to end of the body, part and being of a size to readily permit of the insertion ofa strapor other securing member usually attached to the mail bag, or

newspaper bag, according to the desired use. The sides of the slot preferably terminate at a ribs 2..

I The operation may be described as follows: The operator insertsthe strap through point inside of the projecting the slotted way 5 and then applies the cushion to his shoulder. Because of the weight of-the bag and contained articles on the strap it will be appreciated that the body portion will give at a point intermediate its sides, therebycompressing the body portion at a point beneath the slotted way 5 and between the ribs 2thereby' permitting the inner surface of the cushion at a point intermediate its sides'to engage the surface of the garment at the shoulder thereof. \Vhen in such engagement, a slight vacuum will be created in the cups 3 and 4, and the walls of the recesses 3 and 4 will be held tightly in frictional engagement with the surface and thereby prevent slipping of the cushion on the shoulder. In order to further provide against any slipping in a transverse direction, the ribs at the sides of the inner surface of the pad will frictionally engage the shoulder portion of the garment of the user. It will also be seen that because of the frictional holding characteristic of the body portion, the wall of the slotted way 5 will be held in frictional cont-act with the strip and will thereby prevent any slipping of the strap relative to the cushion. This anti-slipping characteristic of the slotted way 5 is further increased by reasorrof the fact that the body portion is yieldable below the slot 5, thereby drawing the Walls of l the slot 5 into tight engagement with the strap due to the weight of the parts carried thereby.

\Vhile not absolutely necessary, still further efiiciency may result by the provision of an irregular series of shallow corrugations 6 at points between the recesses 3 and 4 and the side ribs 2.

It has been seen that the supporting cushion is of a single piece or integral construction totally devoid of any metallic fastenings or other securing devices, and the cushion presents a smooth appearance which while effectively accomplishing the desired ends will not in any manner injure the clothing of the user.

lVhat I claim is:

1. A shoulder cushion support for straps or the like comprising an elongated body part of yieldable material, said body part having extending longitudinally therethrough from 'end to end a strap receiving slot.

2. A shoulder cushion support for straps or the like, comprising a relatively thick elongated yieldable body part having extending longitudinally therethrough from end to end a strap receiving slot, said slot being open at the ends of the body portion and arranged adjacent the top thereof whereby to form a yieldable pad therescribed.

4. A shoulder cushion support for straps or the like comprising an elongated body part ofyieldable material having associated therewith strap supporting means, said body part having spaced from the edges thereof on its inner surface a plurality of spaced substantially round cut out portions forming vacuum recesses, and a pair of longitudinally extending ribs, one at each side of said plurality of cut out portions.

5. A shoulder cushion support for straps or the like comprising an elongated body portion of yieldable material, having a longitudinally extending strap receiving recess arranged at a point to provide therebelow a relatively thick yieldable pad, and friction holdingmeans on the inner surface of the body portion.

6. A shoulder cushion support for straps or the like comprising an elongated body portion of yieldable -material, having a longitudinally extending strap receiving recess open at the ends of the body portion, and means connected to the body portion for engaging the garment of the user at the shoulder.

7. A shoulder cushion support for straps or the like comprising an elongated body portion of yieldable material having a longitudinally extended slotted way projecting from end to'end thereof and open at the ends of the body portion for the reception of a strap, said strap, and said body portion having below sald slotted way a plurality of cup shaped cut out parts.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES W. QUIRK.

W. P. SWEENEY. 

